Mesothelioma Causes Other Than Asbestos
Mesothelioma is a cancer of the tissue that lines the lungs, chest wall, abdomen and other organs. Patients who develop this cancer have usually been exposed to asbestos as a result of their jobs.
Asbestos is a group of minerals that form strong microscopically-sized fibers. It was utilized in construction and automotive products because it resists heat, water and fire.
Workplace Exposure
Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral was extensively used for its fireproof properties before it was banned. Mesothelioma is a danger for those who worked with asbestos. The highest risk is for those who have been exposed to large quantities of asbestos’ microscopic fibers over a long period of time. Mesothelioma is usually not diagnosed until a long time after asbestos exposure. Because of this, the majority of mesothelioma cases are linked to occupational asbestos exposure.
Asbestos fibers can be inhaled and swallowed when disturbed. The fibers could make their way to the thin layer of tissue that surrounds organs. This layer, dubbed the mesothelium, may develop cancerous tumors of mesothelioma. The most common mesothelioma type is called mesothelioma that is pleural, and develops around the lungs. Other mesothelioma types are pericardial and peritoneal. They are formed in the abdomen.
Mesothelioma can also develop in other parts of the body, if asbestos is inhaled or consumed with smaller amounts. It can be found in the testicles’ lining (peritoneal mesothelioma) and in the wall of the abdominal cavity (pericardial mesothelioma). Mesothelioma is typically the result of an injury to the mesothelium which is why it’s difficult to determine if it was caused by occupational exposure or another cause.
Some people with mesothelioma developed the disease after exposure to secondhand sources. This is often called take-home exposure, and occurs when asbestos is found on workers’ clothing or equipment. In these instances families are often required to clean and wash the clothing of workers and equipment, which results in higher risk of exposure than could be expected. Certain studies have shown that the use of an asbestos-like material known as erionite increases the risk of mesothelioma for those who live near erionite deposits.
Radiation and chemotherapy are also treatments that increase your chance of developing mesothelioma. These treatments can damage mesothelium, causing mesothelioma. However they do not cause a significant number of cases.
Secondhand Exposure
Other factors can increase a person’s chance of developing mesothelioma. Genetics, radiation therapy history to the chest, and exposure to secondhand radiation are all factors that can increase the likelihood of developing mesothelioma. A family history of mesothelioma can increase the risk of contracting the disease. However, asbestos case is the primary mesothelioma cause.
Mesothelioma is the most frequent cancer among asbestos-related workers. This is especially relevant for those working in manufacturing, construction shipbuilding, asbestos mining, and other related industries. People who work with asbestos often breathe in tiny asbestos fibers when they break or alter the material. The asbestos fibers can end up in the lining of the lungs, stomach and the heart. The asbestos can remain in the body for a prolonged period and cause malignant mesothelioma cancers to grow.
Inhaling or swallowing these harmful fibers can cause mesothelioma pleural, peritoneal mesot and other forms of the disease. The symptoms can appear anywhere between 30 and 50 years after exposure. To diagnose mesothelioma doctors must first rule out other conditions which could be the cause of the patient’s symptoms.
Exposure to asbestos is known to cause pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of cancer. After exposure to asbestos the risk of developing this kind of mesothelioma is thought to decrease. However, the risk of mesothelioma peritoneal continues to rise even after exposure to asbestos has ended.
Asbestos is comprised of metamorphic fibrous minerals that are naturally occurring. It is highly robust and is resistant to heat and fire making it a preferred choice for industrial, military and commercial applications throughout the 20th century. Asbestos was heavily used from the end of World War II through to the mid 1970s. It was most commonly found in ships, buildings, automobile parts and insulation.
Workers who used to handle asbestos or inhale it were the most likely group to have diagnosed mesothelioma. Certain mesothelioma patients were diagnosed despite having no history of asbestos exposure. These people were exposed through other means. Women whose husbands worked with asbestos brought home asbestos fibers from their clothing or skin. Those who received the polio vaccine during the 1950s and 1960s have been found to be at a greater risk of developing mesothelioma too due to the contamination of the polio vaccine with asbestos.
Environmental Exposure
While asbestos is the primary mesothelioma cause but there are a variety of other factors that could be involved. These could be related to a person’s age, gender, or genetics. People who have a predisposition to mesothelioma or other health problems are at greater risk than those who do not have.
The exposure to asbestos in the workplace is the reason for the majority of mesothelioma cases. Workers who have long-term, constant exposure to asbestos, like shipyard or miners workers, are at the most risk. A lot of people with mesothelioma did not directly interact with asbestos. Second-hand exposure can occur when one lives with someone who has worked with asbestos lawyer, and breathes in asbestos fibers. This kind of exposure occurs most often in the spouses of asbestos workers.
The symptoms of mesothelioma may be seen over time, and can vary depending on what type of cancer a person is. Everyone should be aware of the risks they are exposed to and speak with their doctor if any symptoms are alarming or unusual.
Asbestos exposure can trigger three types mesothelioma – abdominal, pleural and pericardial. Pleural mesothelioma is a lung cancer and peritoneal mesothelioma can affect organs in the abdomen, and mesothelioma of the pericardium is a common occurrence heart. Most mesothelioma forms in the lungs. However, peritoneal mesothelioma can be found in the abdominal cavity. mesothelioma pericardial forms in the lining surrounding the heart.
Researchers have discovered that different substances could cause mesothelioma too. Radiation therapy and erionite (a mineral that appears similar to asbestos) are among the compounds that can cause mesothelioma. A virus, known as SV40 and certain kinds of talcum powder can cause mesothelioma too.
The research into the causes of mesothelioma could help doctors identify the cause more precisely and speedily. This allows mesothelioma sufferers to receive treatment sooner and improve their outcomes. It is also crucial to understand other mesothelioma risk factors so that we can to avoid more mesothelioma cases in the near future. The use of talcum can increase the risk of women developing peritoneal cancer. By educating people about mesothelioma we can cut down the number of people diagnosed with cancer. This is important since mesothelioma can have symptoms that can be delayed for up to 50 years.
Genetics
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you should seek out a specialist. Early treatment can give patients the best prognosis. While asbestos claim exposure is the most common mesothelioma trigger however, research continues to identify other risk factors like talcum powder and SV40. Understanding and avoiding these risks can help prevent more cases of mesothelioma.
Asbestos is an asbestos group of mineral fibers with fibrous structure that was extensively used throughout the 20th century in commercial, industrial and even military applications. Its strength and fire-resistant characteristics was a major draw for manufacturers. However, the dangers of asbestos became evident and were documented by researchers, leading to its elimination. People who were exposed to asbestos Legal in the workplace are at the highest risk for mesothelioma. These people include miner factory workers, miner’s workers and asbestos insulation installers. They also include shipbuilders, railroad employees automakers, railroad workers.
The asbestos fibers that are inhaled get buried in the lining (pleura) of the lung, where they become irritated. They eventually develop cancers. The signs of mesothelioma could take a while to manifest, but they usually become advanced by the time that they appear. It can be a sign of chest pain, heaviness, or difficulty breathing. Fluid buildup in the lungs can also be a sign.
Mesothelioma is caused by cancerous mutations in cells. These are due to asbestos exposure, but a lot of researchers believe that the genes of a person can also play a role. Researchers discovered a gene known as BAP 1, located on the short arm chromosome 3 that causes mesothelioma. They discovered this gene after studying mesothelioma outbreaks in two U.S. family with Swiss origins. Every member of the family who was diagnosed with mesothelioma was affected by this mutation.
Genetics is just one component of the equation for mesothelioma, but it’s an important one. Only a tiny percentage of people who experience asbestos exposure develop mesothelioma, which suggests that a person’s genes are also in play. The majority of mesothelioma patients are carriers of mutations in tumor suppressing genes. As the research continues this gene will be studied and understood more thoroughly to stop more mesothelioma from occurring. It is possible that those who have a genetic predisposition to mesothelioma will also have to be more vigilant regarding exposure to asbestos and will require regular screening to detect symptoms.